747FC

We are supposed to be at the Hapuna next weekend, but likely will cancel due to the vog. Will be monitoring the conditions until cancellation time.

tatterdema

The Hapuna Prince? From what I hear there is less Vog there than on the streets of Honolulu, or Kihei....

747FC

I've had past experience trying to enjoy a vacation in the midst of a natural disaster (Tohoku, Japan, 2011). From that experience, I've learned that it is difficult for me to enjoy myself when all hell is breaking loose. The vog is just part of it.

I've just come from a briefing regarding the Big Island, and I have been watching the local news. For example, see: http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/0...pdates-friday/

I'm afraid that the population may be in for some tough times. The Big Island is going through hell right now, and it may get a lot worse.

I'd rather stay home. For those that want to go, have a great time. The Big Island economy needs all the help it can get.

tatterdema

Yeah, I have been watching it closely also, but to me, staying away from the Kohala Coast because of issues in Lower Puna is a lot of overkill. I am keeping my reservations for June for now..... Agree, the population in Lower Puna is in for a very very tough time, but they are a tough people and will get through it. My friends in Waimea are not, it is life as usual for them, with the exception of the news.

hailstorm

State officials plead for visitors to keep Big Isle travel plans

747FC

Here is the latest information on SO2 and particulate matter spread on the Big Island (notice that at the time of my posting, Kailua-Kona is out of the "acceptable" air quality range with respect to particulates):

Vog Measurement and Prediction (VMAP) | Current SO2/SO4 Measurements

philemer

Looks like Kona is in the acceptable range for air quality though.

747FC

Today, yes. Yesterday (HST), no. Tomorrow, who knows?

But, here is a forecasting tool for particulate matter:

http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysp...ftype=ensmax01

tatterdema

Hasn't it been that way for years? I know the Vog was bad enough 6 years ago that I left my hotel early and moved out to Waikoloa to get away from it. From what I have heard, it has been that way since the 80's.

FlyinHawaiian

Vog has been present since the 80s, but the latest eruptive phase has increased the intensity/severity of it. During normal trade wind days, the majority of the vog is blown out to sea, but on days when there are light and variable winds, it can drift over populated areas.

tatterdema

Wow, with the latest updates on the 18th fissure opening up, and reading about how it is just now pushing out the last of the lava from the flow in the 1950's, I am hoping lower Puna even exists when it finishes. I feel so bad for all the people losing their homes, their livelihoods, I just cannot imagine how helpless they must feel. From what I read, the new lava is much more viscous than the old, and is shooting 300 feet in the air instead of just 100. I would think that means it will move a little faster, and claim more land as opposed to piling up higher.

I feel kind of a guilty pleasure, as I find it so fascinating, but sad at the same time. A year ago I considered looking at homes in the area, quickly changed my mind just because I lived on an island as a teen, and do not want to again. I have been looking at a lot of the sales of property in the area, much of it very recent.

hailstorm

Everyone on Earth lives on an island, because all land bodies are surrounded by water. I think what you're talking about is ease of access to an urban environment.

Back to the subject at hand, I think that things are goimg to get significantly worse before they get better. I'd visit if I had the freedom to take things day by day, but if I needed to know a week in advance that things will be fine, then I would stay away.

747FC

You are correct that the new lava may move much more quickly than what has been seen so far. Just a correction: The new lava is expected to be less viscous, which means that it will flow faster, and represent more of a danger than previously slower-moving and more viscous lava.

Some more information for those who are interested: https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/hawaii/page26.html

tatterdema

Thanks for the correction, I got my viscocities turned around. And yes, that is exactly what I mean by living on an island, except not so much of an urban environment, but the ability to quickly go somewhere should the mood strike.

windnsea26

I have friends going this week as well as the week before I am scheduled to arrive. I'm hoping they have a good time where they are staying (Kona). I still have a few weeks and pray for the island as a whole to get better.